Wade to serve prison time

Thursday, July 23, 2009

BY JAMIE BARRAND, Editor

GREENCASTLE -- After more than seven hours of testimony Wednesday, special Judge Thomas Milligan reinstated the total suspended 2 1/2 --year sentence of a Greencastle woman convicted of violating the terms of the home detention she received after being convicted of Class D felony theft.

Tamera S. Wade, 46, was sentenced in December to a 2 1/2-year sentence, 18 months of which was to be served on home detention. On June 11, she was arrested and accused of violating the terms of her house arrest. She has been in jail since then.

Milligan said Wade had proven she was not a candidate for any type of home detention. Court documents said Wade left her home without permission on several occasions while on house arrest. She also failed to provide written documentation to Putnam County Community Corrections and provided them with false information about her comings and goings.

Wade countered that she had been given too harsh a sentence, and that she had simply been doing what she was told to do when she left her home.

"She basically has gone on a tirade about how this is not her fault," said Putnam County Deputy Prosecutor Justin Long. "She has refused to take responsibility, and that's the attitude that has outraged the public."

Wade's attorney, Darrell Felling, lobbied for his client to be placed back on home detention and to not have to do any more community service.

"She blamed everyone," said Long. "Everyone from the judge to the court to the community service providers."

Long was pleased with Milligan's decision.

"She said she was doing what she was told, but she knew it was against the rules," he said. "Community corrections is a privilege, and when you're on it you need to take responsibility for your own actions. Judge Milligan obviously felt that (Wade) couldn't be trusted to be on any type of supervised release out in the community. Responsibility just isn't one of her strong suits."

Wade will receive credit for the 42 days she has spent in jail since her June arrest, but will receive no credit for the time she spent on home detention.

Wade was arrested in September. She admitted to stealing over $130,000 from former employer Edward Wood & Co. in Greencastle over a four-year period.

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I think the judges got this one right too. Great job guys!! It's about time these people actually have to take responsibility for their actions. Its always someone elses fault. Hogwash! Make them pay.

-- Posted by flygal026 on Thu, Jul 23, 2009, at 3:59 PM
She looks way to happy for a mug shot.

-- Posted by nascar_Couple on Thu, Jul 23, 2009, at 4:32 PM
So Ms. Wade thought she received too harsh a sentance - GIVE ME A BREAK!! She originally got off too easily thanks to Mr. Bookwalter! She should have been tried for 180+ thefts and forgeries! Thank goodness that justice has finally prevailed!

-- Posted by S B on Thu, Jul 23, 2009, at 6:30 PM
Just goes to show you that you can't do what you want whenever you want to do it. Rules are put into place for a reason. One has to learn that they have to pay for their misdeeds.

-- Posted by Oahu_Armywife on Thu, Jul 23, 2009, at 11:47 PM
nascar_Couple, that's the original mugshot from last September. I bet the new ones don't look so happy.

I dealt with Tammy almost on a daily basis while she was with Ed Wood. Really nice lady, but she clearly made some bad choices.

-- Posted by codasco704 on Fri, Jul 24, 2009, at 12:58 AM
It is about time that justice is served.

-- Posted by Old Man on Fri, Jul 24, 2009, at 1:35 AM
The town wanted all the blood they could get from Tammy. They wouldn't be satisfied if she had been guillotined on the public square. I believe all those who had been placed over her conspired to make sure she got a prison sentence. I wouldn't put my opinion about anything with my identify hidden. I'm Keith's father and if you want to say something to me about this, have the courage to say it to my face. This sentence has been extremely hard on the innocent children, and her husband.

-- Posted by newton on Fri, Jul 24, 2009, at 6:43 AM
It maybe hard on her children and her husband, but who did the crime? That's the bottom line.I don't think anyone thinks less of them, they didn't do anything wrong. It usually is hard on the families. Had she thought of them, she wouldn't be in the limelight!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Posted by whodouthinkur on Fri, Jul 24, 2009, at 7:10 AM
Benedick: In the name of factual information, our former Sheriff stole around $10,000 dollars, was tried and sentenced in a federal court, and for all we know, is abiding by the rules of his sentence. Mrs. Wade stole over $180,000, and was originally given a sentence that included no jail time. Yet, she still refused to abide by her sentencing and now is facing the jail time almost anyone in her shoes would have received to begin with.

Newton: I don't know the details or the people involved, and if you know this family I can understand how you would feel that way. That said, one only has to look at the comments of the prosecutor in the above story to get a glimpse of how a lot of people feel about what has happened, based on the comments I read here.

-- Posted by cloverfan on Fri, Jul 24, 2009, at 7:25 AM
Yes Newton it does effect the family, that is what makes this an even more idiotic thing she has done. She broke the rules, got a slap on the wrist and then laughed in everyone's faces and continued to brake more rules.

I'm so sorry for the family but she got her just reward.

-- Posted by mad-mom on Fri, Jul 24, 2009, at 7:50 AM
Newton - Come on! We, as adults, are all responsible for our own actions. I do feel sorry for her husband and children and extended family. However, for her to say her original sentence was too harsh is nonsense. And even if she truly believed that, for her to just think she could continue to do as she pleased is ludicrous! I am sure SHE was given a list of rules and regulations to follow with Community Corrections and if SHE would have just followed those SHE would not be where SHE is today. To steal that kind of money from your employer deserves punishment. Unfortunately, there are family members related to her that must also suffer because of HER choices. My heart goes out to them, but as I said before, SHE needs to suffer the consequences for HER actions.

-- Posted by NotSoInnocent on Fri, Jul 24, 2009, at 8:57 AM
aw - divorce and move on.

-- Posted by mal on Fri, Jul 24, 2009, at 9:35 AM
Justice has been served-now maybe she will learn from her mistakes. I agree with the judge on this one. She had her chance to follow rules.

-- Posted by peace2019 on Fri, Jul 24, 2009, at 7:47 PM
Banner Graphic and/or Putnam County jail photographer makes being a criminal look fun....the pictures posted of Mitchener and this one....all smiles! What's up with these pictures?

-- Posted by ExHoosier on Sat, Jul 25, 2009, at 12:05 PM
I doubt this is a mug shot since you can clearly see that she has a gold chain on.

-- Posted by citizenoftheworld on Sat, Jul 25, 2009, at 8:47 PM